The Magpie Mason is an obscure journalist in the Craft who writes, with occasional flashes of superficial cleverness, about Freemasonry’s current events and history; literature and art; philosophy and pipe smoking. He is a Past Master of both The American Lodge of Research in New York City and of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786; and also is at labor in Virginia’s Civil War Lodge of Research 1865. He is a past president of the lamented Masonic Society as well.
Last weekend, the International Gathering of Lodges Named for St. Alban held its 73rd meeting, this time at St. Albans 38 in Connecticut. Somehow, I missed the chance to advertise that in advance, but next year, the group will meet in Louisiana at St. Albans Lodge 28 in Jackson, which is a great way for this lodge to celebrate its bicentennial year.
St. Albans Lodge 28, F&AM, will host the 2027 Gathering, a weekend of fellowship, Masonic history, Louisiana hospitality, and celebration for brethren of St. Alban lodges throughout the United States and around the world, together with their families.
The Gathering falls in the bicentennial year of our Louisiana charter, granted January 6, 1827. St. Albans Lodge 28 is working with the International Committee to plan the Gathering. Guests will also meet the wider St. Albans Masonic family, including St. Albans Chapter 80, Order of the Eastern Star, chartered May 18, 1911, whose members will help welcome our visitors and host the companion program.
The Weekend in Outline
The full program is being prepared and will be sent to every registered guest and posted here when complete.
Friday, June 11
Arrival & Louisiana Welcome
Arrival and registration, followed by a Louisiana welcome reception.
Saturday, June 12
Freemasonry in the Felicianas
The Day the War Stopped in historic St. Francisville, hosted by our sister lodge, Feliciana Lodge 31, with Masonic historical observances, fellowship and the annual jambalaya cook-off; a presentation on two centuries of St. Albans 28; a companion program; and the St. Albans 28 Bicentennial Dinner.
Sunday, June 13
Fellowship & Farewell
An optional farewell breakfast or brunch and local activity, followed by departures.
Click here for a history of the lodge’s early years researched for its centennial celebration in 1926. There’s a lot more color to their story, however, including alleged defection from the Grand Lodge. From James B. Scot’s bookOutline of the Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in Louisiana, printed 1873:
St. Albans Lodge No. 28, at Jackson, near the borders of Mississippi, had been reported dormant for over twelve years. An investigation showed that it had been at work clandestinely during the greater portion of the time, but in accordance with the liberal policy always extended to the country lodges, on the 19th of April, 1845, the Grand Lodge remitted its dues from 1833 to 1844, and legalized its work. On the 9th of July following, St. Albans Lodge issued a circular to all the York Rite lodges in the State, requesting them to meet in convention for the purpose of forming “an American Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana.” Only one lodge, St. James No. 47, at Baton Rouge, adopted resolutions favoring the project, and it was abandoned. One of the circulars was sent to Perfect Union Lodge No. 1, and, by it, handed to the Grand Master. A committee appointed for the purpose visited the two lodges and reported, (October 13) that the proof was so strong against St. Albans Lodge they had suspended its work and arrested the charter. St. James No. 47 was a young lodge, and it was pleaded in excuse that its members were inexperienced and had been led astray by the circular of George W. Catlett, W.M. of St. Albans Lodge; that the S.W. presided, and only a few members were present at the meeting at which the resolution was adopted, and that the action was deeply regretted as St. James Lodge had no desire to withdraw its allegiance from the Grand Lodge. The excuse was accepted. The representative of St. Albans Lodge stated in extenuation that the circular had been issued at the instigation of visitors from other jurisdictions, a number of whom had frequently visited the lodge and exercised an improper influence over the members, who now implored the clemency of the Grand Lodge. Under these circumstances the charter was suspended for one year, but, on the 27th November following, the sentence was remitted and the lodge restored to all its rights and privileges.
And, several years later:
On Nov. 25, 1848, St. Albans Lodge No. 28 reported that it had suspended five of its members for uniting with “two strangers” for the purpose of organizing an irregular lodge; this action was approved by the Grand Lodge…
It was a wild time for Louisiana Freemasonry. Between the French chartering lodges there, and the estrangement between Francophone and English-speaking lodges and their rituals, and the Mississippi brethren encouraging the schismatic Louisiana Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons, it was a mess. But it was resolved in 1850, and the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana remains a beloved member of the Masonic family.
Speaking of Mozart (see post below), The Magic Flute, his Masonic opera, will return to The Met for its annual run soon. I promote this production every season both here on The Magpie and in my travels, but I never hear of Masons or lodges attending the show. As far as I can tell, the ticket price here is the only cost in New York City that hasn’t budged in years (actually reduced from 2025!), but I digress. From the publicity:
The Met’s family-friendly production of Mozart’s dazzling fairy tale returns, sung in English and running ninety minutes. Nicholas Carter and Patrick Furrer share conducting duties, leading a standout cast in Julie Taymor’s magical staging. Tenors Piotr Buszewski and David Portillo share the role of Tamino, the brave prince on a quest to win the clever princess Pamina, sung by sopranos Emily Pogorelc, Kathryn Lewek, and Emma Marhefka. The cast also features tenors Rolando Villazón and Gordon Bintner alternating as the luckless bird catcher Papageno. Sopranos Jeni Houser, Lewek, and Olga Pudova take turns as the Queen of the Night. Basses Morris Robinson and In Sung Sim portray Sarastro.
At every performance of The Magic Flute, audiences can enjoy free activity books and themed photo opportunities throughout the lobby. Special downloadable activities are also available online to explore before or after your visit. Complimentary face painting will be available before all matinee performances. Holiday Open Houses will take place prior to the performances on December 13 and 19.
Please note: The December 26 matinee is a relaxed performance. Learn more about what to expect in the Met’s relaxed performances.
The Met
World Premiere: Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden, Vienna, 1791. A sublime fairy tale that moves freely between earthy comedy and noble mysticism, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte in the original German) was written for a theater located just outside Vienna with the clear intention of appealing to audiences from all walks of life. The story is told in a singspiel (“song-play”) format characterized by separate musical numbers connected by dialogue and stage activity, an excellent structure for navigating the diverse moods, ranging from solemn to lighthearted, of the story and score.
The Met
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91) was the son of a Salzburg court musician who exhibited him as a musical prodigy throughout Europe. His achievements in opera, in terms of beauty, vocal challenge, and dramatic insight, remain unsurpassed. He died three months after the premiere of Die Zauberflöte, his last produced work for the stage. The remarkable Emanuel Schikaneder (1751-1812) was an actor, singer, theater manager, and friend of Mozart who wrote the opera’s libretto, staged the work, and sang the role of Papageno in the initial run.
The libretto specifies Egypt as the location of the action. That country was traditionally regarded as the legendary birthplace of the Masonic fraternity, whose symbols and rituals populate this opera. Some productions include Egyptian motifs as an exotic nod to this idea, but most opt for a more generalized mythic ambience to convey the otherworldliness that the score and overall tone of the work call for.
The Met
Mozart and his librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, created The Magic Flute with an eye toward a popular audience, but the varied tone of the work requires singers who can specialize in several different musical genres. The baritone Papageno represents the comic and earthy, the tenor Tamino and the soprano Pamina display true love in its noblest forms, the bass Sarastro expresses the solemn and the transcendental, and the Queen of the Night provides explosive vocal fireworks.
Mt. Moriah Lodge 20, here in the city (not to be confused with Mt. Moriah 145 upstate), has a music education program planned for next week, the first in a series of events. From the publicity:
Join us as Mount Moriah Lodge 20 begins its first presentation in its Pioneering in Masonry series.
This discussion is titled “Mozart and the Craft: A Journey from Darkness to Light.” Lodge Chaplain Gary Leavitt will present and moderate.
We hope you’ll join us. Master Masons only. Future offerings will be curated for all Masons. RSVP here.
On the first three Thursdays of November, the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, will conduct “Franklin’s Fingerprints” tours, celebrating the colossus of U.S. history and a very prominent Freemason. From the publicity:
Be part of our first “Franklin’s Fingerprints” tour on Thursday, November 5, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. If you’re interested in all things Benjamin Franklin, don’t miss this in-depth, after-hours tour experience. It also will be offered Thursday the 12th and 19th.
Attendance each time is capped at twenty-five, and tickets, at $25, can be had here.
Python (Monty) Ltd.
Good to see the Grand Lodge that boycotted Franklin’s funeral in 1790 is finally coming around.
Robert H. Jackson receives the jewel of the 33°, 1941.
Happy anniversary to Justice Robert H. Jackson Lodge of Study and Research, set to labor on this date thirty years ago.
There are four research lodges here in New York State, two of which are active year round, but two that are kind of mysterious. The ALR and Western New York Lodge of Research are the busy ones, but Justice Jackson is one of the others. Its meeting place is Mount Moriah Lodge 145 way up in Jamestown.
In his book Masonic Research Lodges, Bodies, and Societies, Ken Stuczynski writes: “The lodge has between 50 and 60 members, with annual dues of $15. There are no corresponding or honorary members.”
The lodge meets “a few times a year,” including its annual meeting on the second Friday in May, and a festive board every year for George Washington’s birthday, he adds.
Robert Houghwout Jackson (1892-1954) was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court when he died at age 62, having advanced through prominent federal positions during the administrations of President Franklin Roosevelt, including stints as Solicitor General followed by Attorney General of the United States. After the Second World War, President Harry Truman sent him to Nuremberg to serve as Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the International Military Tribunal.
In Freemasonry, he was at labor in Mt. Moriah 145, having been raised in 1929. Scottish Rite in New York sparingly awards its Illustrious Robert H. Jackson, 33° Award for Community Service, an honor it devised in 2004.
There is a lot more to his life story. He certainly is one of those figures in Masonic history who illustrates how little you’ve accomplished in life. I wish his namesake research lodge was more functional.
Don’t park on 24th Street tonight, if you do that kind of thing.
The American Lodge of Research enjoyed a brief, but memorable, meeting last night at Masonic Hall. Having filled in for the Brother Secretary, I had reason to watch the clock, and we were open for only about an hour and fifteen minutes! Surely some kind of record.
The certificate in question.
Nevertheless, we were treated to an insightful presentation by Bro. Conor, a Fellow of the lodge, on the subject of the traveling certificate carried 270 years ago by a Bro. James Harding. Biography of Harding is scant, but researching the names of the lodge officers who signed the document reveals telling historical and demographical information about Freemasonry in British North America in the mid eighteenth century. Look for more information in the pages of The ALR Today, the lodge’s newsletter.
Of all the secrets in Freemasonry, the most vexing has to be how to grow participation at research lodges. After we closed, some of us groused about promotional techniques to advertise our meetings. Others were present in addition to who you see here, but we’re no longer drawing the 20-30 we once did.
While our next Stated Communication is far off—March 30, 2027—we are told to anticipate Zoom sessions in the meantime (which hopefully will attract our many overseas brethren). And maybe we’ll meet in person for a Special Communication one night also.
The Masonic Library and Museum Association in action at the annual meeting, Saturday, October 17 at Masonic Hall, New York City.
As if the city didn’t have enough problems, a gang of Freemasonry’s librarians and curators descended on Manhattan last weekend for their annual meeting, plus tours of relevant stacks and exhibits. Yes, at last, it was time for the Masonic Library and Museum Association to congregate in New York, courtesy of our host, the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York. And kudos to that library’s Executive Director, Michael LaRocco, both for making all the advance arrangements and for personally managing a busy day’s progress—going so far as to shepherd the out-of-towners through the Subway trek from 23rd Street all the way down to South Ferry and back on the 1 Train.
Mike did a fantastic job timing all the moving parts of the day, from the catered lunch to the tours of Masonic Hall and the Livingston Library, to that trip downtown, the private tour at Fraunces Tavern Museum followed by dinner downstairs, then the death-defying commute back up to 23rd. A perfect day. (The weather could have been nicer, which I mentioned to Mike for future reference. I don’t know. He seemed all-powerful.)
There was a group dinner, from what I understand, the night before (Friday the 16th), but I was unable to attend. We gathered at Masonic Hall for business Saturday morning inside the Jacobean Room where, coincidentally, my lodge has dinner after our Monday night meetings. We had the good fortune to host Oscar Alleyne, an obscure figure in New York Masonry serving as Deputy Grand Master, who presented the first talk of the program. Attending this meeting were Masonic library and museum caretakers, both paid professionals and volunteers, from Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington State, and more. In addition to Oscar, our Grand Lodge was represented by Grand Treasurer John Hansen, Livingston Library Board of Trustees President Rodney Couto, Library Trustee Jeff Santorello, and Library Trustee Emeritus Jim Melis, who gets credit for offering last year to host this event.
Look for us next year at the Washington Masonic Library & Museum, near Tacoma. Curator Chelsea Hansen (no relation to John, far as I know) was present, and told us to plan for the meeting up there next October.*
E. Oscar Alleyne
Oscar spoke of “Futurology: Planning for the Road Ahead with Sustainability & Innovation.” This thoughtful discussion of the missions museums and libraries, Masonic and otherwise, potentially might embrace in the future. From digital media and AI to community relations, “green” facilities, and marketing, Oscar’s prescription for our future covers more than preserving and presenting the past. As for Freemasonry, he says: “Scholars and lodge leaders increasingly emphasize that the Craft’s survival depends on reversing a historical neglect of Masonic education [as] research is pivoting back toward understanding core symbolism, personal philosophy, and historical records rather than routine administration.”
Our Board tackling the agenda with effortless efficiency.
“Modern Masonic discourse and research strongly advocate for prioritizing member engagement, retention, and leadership quality over sheer numerical growth—moving away from passive recruitment toward intentional mentorship,” he added. Our cultural institutions can reframe the mission by “encapsulating both the tangible nature of museum work—what we restore, revive, and rebuild—and the intangible: where we reflect, interpret, educate, and shift perspectives. Reframing is an opportunity to redefine who we are, why we’re important, and how we connect with and show up for our community.”
Hilary Anderson Stelling
Hilary Anderson Stelling, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington, Massachusetts, told the group about the Association of Masonic Museums, Libraries and Archives, which could be understood to be our cousin in Europe (headquartered in Brussels). I think Hilary’s institution at the AASR-NMJ is the sole American member of AMMLA. She told us of its activities and goals, as well as its recent Annual Congress and General Assembly (everything in Europe sounds so consequential!) in Bern, Switzerland. Next year, they’ll be in Stockholm, which I’m sure will be very nice. It’s not exactly Tacoma, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. Read about AMMLA here.
Rusty D. Henson
Batting third was Rusty Henson, President of the Oklahoma Grand Lodge Museum and Library (and not kin to either of the aforementioned Hansens), who spoke of “Preserving Oklahoma’s Masonic Heritage.” I was interested in hearing about it, having been in Tulsa June 24 as the speaker at the T.O. lodges’ festive board. No surprise that his library/museum has many of the same challenges and aspirations as the rest of the MLMA members. One thing that did grab me was his hope to see the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma give a grant to the library/museum that could be invested to generate revenue the library/museum could use for operations. I hope that works out and becomes a funding model in other grand lodges, supreme councils, etc.
After lunch, it was time for tours. Our guide led us around the building to see Masonic Hall’s opulent lodge rooms. Having seen them many times, I gravitated toward the clubby rooms maintained by both Holland Lodge 8 and Kane 454 which were unknown to me. Both lodges created not-for-profit groups in order to house their respective collections of antiques and other artifacts. Smoking should be allowed in these rooms! I’ll let the photos do the talking.
Holland Lodge 8
& Holland Lodge Historical Society
MW DeWitt Clinton’s apron. He was Master of Holland in 1794.
LaFayette’s apron from 1824, a member of Holland.
I once knew how to play (before chess ruined my life).
Orange. Holland. Get it?
Kane Lodge 454
& Elisha Kent Kane Historical Society
I have named him Rupert.
I have named him Thunderhoof.
Twenty years ago, John Simon-Ash invited me to join Kane Lodge. I should have accepted.
Scrimshaw art on a sperm whale tooth.
Dr. Elisha Kent Kane in his study at Fern Rock.
Robert Edwin Peary, U.S. Navy.
Kane Council 2, Royal and Select Masters, in New Jersey is represented here. New Jersey used to have a Kane Lodge also.
On my ‘to do’ list is have a look into the early ’80s history of Iranian brethren fleeing to New York and establishing an Iranian Masonic authority in exile. I’m assuming this apron is connected.
Finally! Smoking accoutrement: an antique meer.
Chancellor Robert R. Livingston
Masonic Library of the GL of NY
One prized artifact: Simón Bolívar’s 32° apron.
Another: letter from George Washington.
All kinds of archives and tons of treasures.
My grandfather wore a tricorn hat when he was Master in ’76.
Tobacco humidor.
Masonic Review was a magazine at mid 19th century in Cincinnati.
Ari Roussimoff’s A Ladder Through Life.
Punch bowl used during banquet honoring LaFayette, 1824.
At the conclusion of our tour of the library, it was time to head downtown to The Battery and catch the Staten Island Ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I came to regret not signing up for this part of the day, but I wanted to get to Barclay Rex for the more noble and glorious purpose of vegetating in a club chair with a fine cigar—one of my favorite inactivities, but one I haven’t had time for in ages. It’s conveniently just a few doors down from Fraunces Tavern, where we’d meet up in a few hours, but I changed my mind. I decided instead to catch a screening at my favorite movie house. I really need to get into the habit of buying tickets online, because by the time I got there, my movie was sold out. I had aimed to see this:
With no ticket to be had, I tried my luck at this one…
…which is likely the most depressing story ever committed to film. It ends, mercifully and not too soon, in a cut to black, by which time I was ready to slit my wrists. I don’t particularly object to existentialist narratives, but holy shit.
Souvenirs at Film Forum. If not for the exorbitant price, I would have bought 1 Train caps for everyone since that was the Subway line they rode down and up the West Side.
But if there’s one thing that can perk me up, it’s a visit to Fraunces. We had a private tour of the museum planned before having dinner downstairs, thanks to Michael’s preternatural planning prowess.
Our tour guide was Melissa Lauer, Manager of Programs and Events at Fraunces. I’d say she has a brilliant future delving into the past. Melissa lavished about ninety minutes on us, leading our group from room to room and exhibit to exhibit—no one got lost.
Without these guys, we’d be screwed. Secretary Tyler Vanice and President Dirk Hughes at Fraunces.
Fraunces Tavern is one of Manhattan’s historic sites closely associated with George Washington. This is where he gave his farewell to his officers after the war was won, for example. Naturally, there are a few Washington likenesses on display here and there…
…but these are not among them! There were artists who purported to cut, carve, paint, engrave, etc. portraits of the most famous American (well, maybe second to Franklin), but without ever laying eyes on him. To wit:
Washington said he never met the guy who made this.
Part of what made Fraunces Tavern a Three Key establishment was the air conditioning, shown here at top. Seriously though, Fraunces drew moneyed clients because it offered private rooms. Elsewhere, one could end up sharing a bed with a stranger.
Cannon balls. Unfortunately, no one knows the whereabouts of the projectile that hit the roof of Fraunces in August 1775 when the HMS Asia fired at Alexander Hamilton & Co. as they tried to steal British artillery at The Battery. But they have these on display.
I think they called this the Flag Room years ago, but no longer. Click here.
To see more photos and a better recap of the weekend, catch the next issue of The Page & Pillars, the quarterly newsletter of the Masonic Library and Museum Association, due out December 1.
At 6:30, it was time for dinner. We were booked at a large table in the heavily trafficked area near the kitchen. Michael said “Absolutely not!” (I never heard him use that kind of language!) and got us moved up a flight of stairs to the private luxury of the Washington Room.
The undisputed star of the day is the guy between Julia and Chelsea down the left side. Not a Mason. No connection to any Masonic library, museum, whatever. Just decided to join our group. I have no idea if he registered/paid or anything. Just came along from morning to night. Legend.
I’m not one to photograph my food, but I’m willing to debase myself for Magpie readers. Here’s my appetizer. That said, I forgot to get a shot of my entrée, the Flat Iron Steak. Possibly the best steak I’ve eaten—ever. Rare, marbled, seared—no, blue rare—succulent, tender, flawless. Incredible. I was sobbing until Melis kicked my leg. Velvety leek & potato gratin on the side with watercress. Normally I wouldn’t touch watercress this late in fall, but it was delicious. Fantastic meal. I won’t even complain about the watery flavorless house red. I savored a pint of Wolfhound Nitro Stout anyway. There was talk of getting AMD councils to unite for an event here. Do it!
Even the table settings were cool: short stacks of fake books topped with miniature busts of fake stone, plus these candlesticks.
I think it was about nine o’clock when we exited Fraunces. As I usually do, I paused to snap a photo of the sign. Took two seconds but, in that time, the whole group disappeared! I think they got back to the hotel okay.
I’ve been enjoying an amazing year in Freemasonry, and this day ranks amid the top of the list. (I mean, except for that horrible movie, which wasn’t even on the day’s agenda.) See? It is possible for Masonic groups to host special events in New York City! Stop being babies.
*Sorry to say I’ll have to skip that Washington meeting. I’ll be with the MRF in August and with QC2076 in September so, by October, I’ll be selling blood—not necessarily my own—just to buy groceries.
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